Elsewhere in this great land of ours, people actually are roasting chestnuts on an open fire. Jack Frost actually is nipping at their noses. Bells on bob-tails actually are ringing, and Santa Clauses are wearing boots and mittens and heavy red coats because they actually have to.

Meanwhile, in California, we’re experiencing our usual winter wonderland of high temperatures, drying winds and red-flag fire warnings. Shoppers browse through the malls in shorts and shirt sleeves. The Santas are all hot and sweaty, and the snow on the windows comes out of squirt cans.

How many of us this season will be dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh? Heck, it’s more likely we’ll be loading our boards in the woody and heading to the beach. The sun is high, and surf’s up!

It’s tough, in California, to get into the Christmas spirit.

Part of the problem is that all the great Christmas carols were written by Easterners, people who could sing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas,” and really mean it.

It’s not fair. Californians need some Christmas carols of their own, songs we can identify with, and sing with feeling.